A/N: Sorry for the delay, I was really wanting to do a quick catchup with Skye for a while and finally found a good place for it to make sense without slowing down the story too much. I hope it is worth it for those who have wanted to know how Skye and Charlie are doing back on Akala Island. Once again please review or favorite this story if you feel inclined and I do not own Pokemon this is just a complete work from my own head.
Paniola Town presented a picturesque scene with its rustic charm, as the golden hues of the afternoon sun bathed the wooden structures and dirt roads in a warm glow. The air carried the distant sounds of Miltank from the surrounding ranches, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh hay and flowers.
Walking down the main street, Skye had tied her hair back into a casual ponytail, providing relief from the heat. Beside her, Serena, now visibly pregnant and radiant, wore a flowing sundress that swayed gracefully with each step. Two years of marriage to Kiawe had brought a new kind of happiness to her life.
Breaking the comfortable silence between them, Serena turned to Skye with a concerned expression, "How's Charlie doing through all this? I heard he's been having a tough time clearing his name."
Skye let out a small sigh, her face reflecting the seriousness of the situation. "It's been really tough on him, Serena. The whole thing with Team Rocket has turned his world upside down. But you know Charlie, he's strong. He's not giving up."
Serena's eyes filled with empathy as she nodded, "Has there been any new leads? Anything that might help him?"
Skye shook her head slightly, "Nothing concrete yet. We're all doing what we can to support him and find anything that could help clear his name. It's a difficult situation, but we're not giving up."
The two friends continued their walk, the town's serene atmosphere providing a stark contrast to the heavy topic of their conversation. Sharing stories and offering support, they reinforced the bonds of friendship, knowing that in tough times, being there for each other was what mattered most.
Upon entering Charlie's house, Skye immediately noticed Tyranitar on the couch, a bag of chips next to it, and an old documentary playing on the television. Tyranitar, upon noticing Skye, quickly tried to hide the chips behind its back, its expression attempting to convey innocence.
Skye couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, teasing, "Caught in the act, huh? Don't worry, I'm not going to tell Charlie."
Tyranitar let out a small, sheepish roar, almost as if it was saying thank you.
"It's alright, I know some days are harder than others. We all find our ways to cope," Skye spoke softly, understandingly, giving Tyranitar a gentle pat on its hard shell.
Tyranitar responded with a nod, appreciating the empathy and kindness. It then gestured to the documentary, inviting Skye to join in watching.
Skye smiled, deciding to sit down and spend a bit of time with Tyranitar, understanding that sometimes, a little distraction was necessary, especially in tough times.
Skye's mind wandered back to the first year she had moved in with Charlie, a time filled with restlessness and a fervent desire for answers. Charlie, desperate to unlock the memories of that fateful day in Arbor Town, had grasped at every possibility, even considering a visit to a local psychic.
He held onto the belief that maybe, just maybe, she could help him remember what happened while he was possessed, believing that these hidden memories held the key to clearing his name. Skye, however, had seen the desperation in his eyes and knew she had to be the voice of reason.
"Charlie, I understand why you want to do this, but we have to be realistic. Without Pierce, we don't have another witness. We can't be sure that triggering these memories, even if it's possible, would actually help," Skye had told him gently, yet firmly.
She had watched as disappointment and frustration flickered in Charlie's eyes, but she knew she had to keep him grounded. They needed solid evidence, something tangible that could stand up in a court of law, not just fragmented memories from a traumatic time.
"Let's focus on what we can actually do, on finding leads that can help us track down Pierce," Skye had suggested, steering Charlie towards a more pragmatic approach.
Charlie, though reluctant, had eventually seen the wisdom in her words, and together, they had continued their search, determined to find the truth and clear Charlie's name once and for all.
Skye's train of thought shifted as she vividly remembered the day Silver, with his striking red hair and intense red eyes, appeared on their doorstep. His presence was commanding, and his aura held a certain mystique, making him impossible to ignore.
Silver had stood there, a solemn expression on his face as he delivered his message. "I'm confident that Pierce knows the truth, one way or the other. However, I've searched through every possible internal report within Team Rocket, and there's nothing there. It's like they've wiped everything clean."
His voice was filled with frustration, and Skye could see the determination in his eyes. He had been on a relentless quest for answers, much like Charlie, and this dead end seemed to weigh heavily on him. Despite his tough exterior, Silver was fighting for justice, and this was a setback he hadn't anticipated.
Skye had felt a mixture of gratitude and disappointment; grateful for Silver's unwavering support, but disheartened by the lack of progress. It was a challenging time, and every lead that turned cold was a harsh reminder of the uphill battle they were facing.
Charlie walked into the room, his face lit up by the screen of his phone, showing Kieran on a FaceTime call. "Hey, Skye, Kieran wants to talk to you," he announced, passing the phone to her.
Skye took the phone, her eyebrows furrowing in concern as she noticed the hint of hope on Charlie's face. "What's up, Kieran?" she asked cautiously.
"Skye, you won't believe what just happened. I caught Pierce," Kieran exclaimed, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and disbelief.
Skye's initial reaction was a flash of anger and worry, thinking that her younger brother had intentionally put himself in harm's way. "Kieran! What were you thinking? You know how dangerous he can be!"
Before she could continue, Misty's voice cut in through the call, calming yet stern. "Skye, he didn't go looking for trouble. We all bumped into Pierce by accident on Cinnabar Island. Kieran wasn't reckless."
Skye's expression softened as she listened to Misty, her anger subsiding and being replaced by relief. "Okay," she sighed, her voice gentler now. "I'm just glad you're okay. And you really caught Pierce?"
Kieran nodded, his face now showing a trace of pride. "Yeah, with a lot of help. He's in police custody now."
Charlie watched from beside Skye, his eyes brightening at the news. It was a significant breakthrough, and for the first time in a long while, hope seemed tangible.
"Is Dad there?" Skye quickly asked, her eyes searching the screen for any sign of her father.
"He and Pikachu are currently talking to Pierce," Misty explained, her tone reflecting the exhaustion of the night. "But we wanted to call and let you know. It's been a whirlwind of a night."
Skye opened her mouth, ready to ask more questions, but Misty pre-empted her. "I promise I'll fill you in later. Right now, we all need some sleep."
"But Mom, I wanted to go over what I found out today," Kieran interjected, his eyes wide and filled with the eagerness to share his discoveries.
"You need your rest, Kieran, especially before heading to Seafoam Island to challenge Blaine," Misty insisted, her voice firm yet caring.
Skye couldn't help but laugh, hearing the familiar motherly tone in Misty's voice. As the FaceTime call ended, she turned around, only to freeze as her eyes landed on Charlie, down on one knee in front of her.
Charlie took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he looked up into Skye's eyes, full of love and anticipation. "Skye," he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion, "I still remember the day we first met, 11 years ago, at the Indigo League closing ceremonies. I bumped into you, quite literally, and in that moment, my life changed forever."
He paused, smiling softly as he recalled their journey together. "We ventured through the Orange Islands together, met August, and embarked on a wild quest to find Ash, only to discover that he was your father. And even though it took us five years after that adventure to start dating, after I competed in the Ever Grande Conference, you've been my rock, my constant."
Charlie's eyes shone with unshed tears as he continued, "You've stood by me through thick and thin, even when I was possessed by that cursed King, even when it seemed like all hope was lost. You never gave up on me, Skye, and I can't thank you enough for that."
He took a deep breath, his heart full as he looked up at her, his voice soft yet filled with determination. "I didn't want to ask you this until I was sure, but now, with hope on the horizon, with the possibility of finally knowing one way or the other about my past, I can't wait any longer. I can't spend another second not knowing you're mine, completely and forever. Skye, will you marry me? Will you be my wife and my forever partner?"
Skye's eyes filled with tears as she looked down at Charlie, her heart swelling with love. "Yes," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion, "Yes, a thousand times yes!"
She carefully reached down, her hands trembling as she took the ring from the small velvet box. The ring was exquisite, a delicate band of white gold with a stunning diamond that sparkled in the dim light of the room. She admired it for a moment, her heart beating fast, before carefully sliding it onto her finger. It fit perfectly, as if it was made just for her.
Skye couldn't help but giggle, a sound full of joy and love, as she looked up at Charlie, her fiancé. "It's perfect," she said softly, her eyes shining, "Just like you."
Without another word, she reached down, pulling Charlie to his feet before wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him passionately. The world around them seemed to fade away as they got lost in each other, the magnitude of their decision to spend the rest of their lives together sinking in.
Finally breaking the kiss, Skye took Charlie's hand, her eyes full of love and desire as she whispered, "Come on, let's go to our room."
With that, she led him down the hall, their hearts full of love and their future bright with promise.
The room was bathed in the gentle morning light, creating a serene atmosphere as Ash, Misty, and Kieran lay in their respective slumbers. Ash and Misty were entangled in each other's arms, lost in the tranquility of deep sleep on the plush hotel bed, while Kieran and Pikachu occupied the pullout couch bed, their peaceful breathing harmonizing with the room's quietude.
Misty's phone, lying on the bedside table, started vibrating softly, breaking the calm of the morning. Misty, still half-asleep, reached out with a groan, fumbling for the device. Squinting against the brightness of the screen, she managed to accept the call, bringing her daughter's face into view.
"Everything okay, Skye?" she asked, her voice laced with sleepiness.
Skye's face was brimming with excitement as she responded, "Yes, Mom, everything's perfect!" She held up her left hand, showing off the sparkling ring on her finger. "Charlie proposed!"
Misty's drowsiness instantly dissipated as she let out a scream of excitement, her enthusiasm contagious. Ash, jolted awake by her scream, fell out of bed in a state of confusion, ready to call out Charizard to protect them from whatever danger he thought was imminent.
Kieran, also startled awake, yelled out, "What's wrong?!" his voice filled with concern.
Pikachu, reacting to the commotion, burst into the room, cheeks sparking, ready for action as he exclaimed, "Pika!"
But as soon as they saw the huge smile on Misty's face and the image of Skye's hand with the ring on the phone screen, the tension in the room melted away, replaced by an air of joy and celebration.
"Oh, Skye! That's wonderful!" Misty exclaimed, her eyes welling up with tears of happiness.
Ash, now realizing there was no danger, rubbed his back where he had landed and joined in the celebration, "That's great news, Skye! Congratulations!"
Kieran, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes, smiled and added his congratulations, "Yeah, congrats, Sis!"
Pikachu, finally understanding what was happening, let out a cheerful "Pikachu!" and joined the rest of them in celebrating the happy news.
The room was now filled with laughter and joy as they shared in the excitement of Skye and Charlie's engagement, the initial chaos of the wake-up call turning into a moment of family celebration.
Nestled in the serenity of Orre, August and Bonnie lay comfortably entwined in bed, lost in the embrace of a deep, restful sleep. The house, built to accommodate August's new life, stood as a testament to the enduring bond he shared with his best friend, Charlie.
The abrupt vibration of August's phone disrupted the peaceful atmosphere, its screen illuminating the dimly lit room with Charlie's name flashing across it. With a groan, August reluctantly reached out, answering the call in a gruff voice, "Why are you calling this early?"
Charlie, unable to contain his excitement, blurted out the good news, "Skye said yes! I proposed, and she said yes!"
August, taken aback, needed a moment to process the information before asking for clarification, "Wait, are you serious right now?"
"Yes, I'm dead serious!" Charlie replied, his voice filled with joy.
Bonnie, roused by the conversation, groggily murmured, "August, come back to bed…"
August, still on the call, quickly responded to Bonnie, "I will, I will. Charlie, congratulations, man. I'm really happy for you guys. I gotta go."
Ending the call, August turned to Bonnie, his eyes filled with a blend of sleepiness and happiness. "Skye and Charlie are engaged," he shared, a wide smile spreading across his face.
Bonnie, now more awake, smiled back at him, her heart warmed by the news. "That's wonderful," she said softly, encouraging him to come back under the covers.
August, feeling a surge of gratitude for having Bonnie in his life and being part of such a momentous occasion, even from afar, whispered, "I'm so glad you came to Orre with me. Today's a good day."
And with that, they settled back into bed, wrapped in each other's arms, their hearts content and spirits lifted by the joyful news from a world away.
On a boat heading toward the Seafoam Islands, Kieran found himself deep in thought, pondering the recent developments in his quest to uncover the truth about the Iron Masked Marauder. His father, Ash, had recently informed him that Pierce, a member of Team Rocket, had been apprehended but hadn't yet provided any valuable information.
Kieran felt a surge of frustration. He remembered Ash's advice, reminding him that it takes time to break through to people like Pierce. "People with connections to Team Rocket don't just open up immediately," Ash had said with a sense of wisdom and experience in his voice. "It takes patience, persistence, and the right tactics to get them to talk."
Taking a deep breath, Kieran tried to calm his restless mind, focusing on the sound of the waves and the cool sea breeze against his face. He understood the need for patience, but the weight of wanting to clear Charlie's name and solve the mystery of the Iron Masked Marauder's murderer was heavy on his shoulders.
As the sky painted itself in shades of orange and pink, signaling the sunset, Kieran forced himself to shift his thoughts to the upcoming gym battle with Blaine. He knew he needed to stay sharp and focused, understanding that obsessing over the case wouldn't help him in the gym or in solving the mystery.
But as the boat continued its journey, Kieran couldn't help but feel a burning determination within him, fueling his resolve to find the answers he sought, clear Charlie's name, and bring justice to the perpetrator behind the Iron Masked Marauder's demise.
–One Week Later–
Kieran disembarked from the boat, his feet touching the familiar grounds of Pallet Town as a feeling of nostalgia instantly enveloped him. Making his way through the serene town, he caught sight of Mr. Mime, who was meticulously sweeping the front yard of his grandma Delia's house.
"Hey, Mimey!" Kieran called out, grinning as the Psychic/Fairy-type Pokémon momentarily paused its sweeping to return the greeting with an enthusiastic "Mime!"
Continuing inside, Kieran called out for his grandma, "Grandma Delia, it's Kieran!"
Delia emerged from the kitchen, her face lighting up at the sight of her grandson. "Kieran! Oh, my dear, it's so wonderful to see you!" she exclaimed, embracing him warmly.
"I've missed you, Grandma," Kieran responded, his voice filled with genuine affection.
"And I've missed you too, sweetheart. So, how has your journey been treating you?" Delia asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she ushered him into the living room.
"It's been incredible, Grandma. I've caught some amazing Pokémon and had some intense battles," Kieran began, his enthusiasm clear. "But there's one Pokémon in particular that I'm excited to show you and Mimey. I didn't catch him, though—I traded for him."
Kieran reached for a Pokéball on his belt, releasing the Tauros he had acquired. The large, bull-like Pokémon appeared in the living room, its unique appearance immediately capturing Delia and Mr. Mime's attention.
"Oh, Kieran! This Tauros is stunning! Where ever did you find such a unique Pokémon?" Delia exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration.
Mr. Mime nodded in agreement, impressed by the Tauros's distinct dark gray fur, and a thick black mane, gray horns, black hooves, and dark gray tails with black tips. Each horn has two round, bulbous forms and a hole on its tip. Its mane flows downward and is shaped like a beard, with five teardrop-shaped blue accents on it.
"I met a trainer from Paldea while I was on Cinnabar Island, and we ended up trading. He was really interested in one of the Tauros I caught in the Safari Zone," Kieran explained, a sense of pride evident in his voice.
"That's fantastic, sweetheart. You've made a great trade," Delia said, her expression warm and proud.
Hearing his grandma's praise, Kieran felt a surge of happiness. As they continued to talk, sharing stories and laughter, he felt completely at ease, grateful for the familial warmth and love that surrounded him in his grandma's cozy house.
Kieran's recounting of his battle with Blaine kept Delia hanging on every word, impressed by her grandson's determination and skill in Pokémon battles.
"That's incredible, Kieran! You really have your father's spirit in battles, and you're proving to be as strong as your sister was when she competed. The Aqua Breed Tauros seems like a great addition to your team," Delia expressed, her eyes sparkling with pride.
Kieran couldn't help but smile, feeling a surge of pride and motivation from his grandmother's words. "Thanks, Grandma. I'm doing my best out there."
Delia, always interested in Kieran's journey, asked, "So, which gym do you plan on challenging next for your seventh badge?"
Without hesitation, Kieran replied, "I've decided to head to Viridian City next. I've heard the gym there is pretty challenging, but I think my team and I are ready for it."
Delia nodded approvingly, knowing well the reputation of the Viridian City Gym. "That's a great choice, Kieran. The Viridian Gym is known for being tough, but I believe you have the skills and determination to overcome the challenges. Just remember, your father and Skye went through these same gyms, and they learned a lot from each battle. You're on the right path."
Kieran felt a renewed sense of confidence hearing his grandmother's encouraging words. He was ready to take on the Viridian City Gym, eager to prove himself and earn his seventh badge, bringing him one step closer to competing in the Indigo League just like his father and sister had done before him.
Viridian City presented itself as a bustling hub, with its tall buildings and vibrant streets showcasing the hustle and bustle of city life. The city was alive with people and Pokémon moving about, going on with their daily chores and tasks. In the midst of the city stood the Viridian Gym, an imposing structure with a façade that spoke of strength and resilience. Its walls were made of dark, polished stone, and the entrance was adorned with impressive statues of Pokémon, showcasing the gym's legacy and the challenges that awaited trainers inside.
As Kieran approached the entrance of the gym, lost in thoughts about the upcoming battle, he felt a sudden jolt as someone bumped into him accidentally. He stumbled slightly, regaining his balance before looking up to see who it was.
"Oh, watch where you're going—" The words were cut off as Lila, with a slight frown on her face, realized who she had bumped into. Her annoyance quickly shifted to a bright smile. "Kieran? Is that you?"
Kieran, slightly surprised, returned the smile. "Lila! Yeah, it's me. It's been a while, hasn't it? How have you been?"
"I've been great, thanks! Just got my eighth badge," Lila responded enthusiastically, showing off her badge case. She noticed the surprised look on Kieran's face and asked, "How about you? How's your journey going?"
Kieran sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, a small smile on his face. "I'm actually here for my seventh badge. Still got a bit of catching up to do."
Lila's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Wow, seventh badge? That's awesome, Kieran! You're almost there!" She bounced slightly on her feet, her energy infectious.
As Lila turned to leave, she looked back over her shoulder, her smile warm and genuine. "Really great to see you, Kieran. I hope you make it to the Indigo League. Give it your all, okay?"
Kieran nodded, feeling a surge of motivation and encouragement from Lila's words. "Thanks, Lila. I will. Good luck in the League!"
With a final wave, Lila disappeared into the crowd, leaving Kieran with a renewed sense of determination. He turned back to the gym, taking a deep breath as he prepared himself for the challenge ahead. The Viridian Gym awaited, and Kieran was ready to give it his all.